Former Shrewsbury captain Graham Coughlan today pledged his current club Southend will go all out for the victory which could help earn Town promotion this weekend.

Released at the end of last season, the popular Coughlan – who spent two seasons at the Greenhous Meadow – could now play a part in earning his old employers a return to the third tier of English football after a 14-year absence.

Shrewsbury’s result against Oxford on Saturday must better Wycombe’s return from their home clash with Southend if Town are to dramatically snatch the third automatic promotion position.

And, while 13th placed Southend have neither promotion or relegation issues on their mind, Coughlan – who has combined his role as a coach with 35 appearances at centre half this term – insisted there is plenty at stake for his team.

“I hope that Shrewsbury go up but I’m not really a sentimental person,” said the 36-year-old Coughlan, who has yet to reach a decision over whether he will play on next season.

“We are going there on Saturday to try and win the game for ourselves and whatever happens elsewhere will happen.

“I’m a firm believer in that how you end one season can impact how you start the next so it’s important we end on a high on Saturday.

“As a management team, we have also set players individual targets throughout the season and some of those could be hit in this last game.

“The Shrewsbury fans were different class to me while I was there and they have no worries from us on Saturday.

“It’s a vital game for us, just as it is for Wycombe.”

Town fans seeking a favour from Coughlan & Co will take heart from the fact that Southend have already beaten Wycombe once this term – registering a 3-2 home victory in February – and that the Shrimpers are five unbeaten.

• Town boss Graham Turner, League Two manager of the month for February, has been nominated for the April award.

By JAMES GARRISON